Tuesday, March 13, 2012

1862 March 14 Lynchburg, Va.

From the diary of William M. Blackford, former diplomat, bank officer, and editor, of Lynchburg, Va., with five sons in the Confederate Army.

Friday 14 rain in moderation frequently
during the day. As disagreeable weather
as could be desired. Learn from good
authority that five brigades had arrived
at Gordonsville & that the retreat has been
so hasty as to occasion destruction of baggage
-further that Jackson had retired up the
Valley. This is sad news. I have not yet
been able to see the wisdom of a retrogressive
movement--I suppose McClellands army
is overpowering in numbers-and ours wea
-ker than we suppose. Gordonsville has no
natural advantages as a place to make a stand.
The finest portion of Virginia is thus abandon-
ed to the enemy. I think there is nothing
to prevent the enemy from coming here.
No further intelligence from Price's army
which is I think ominous. Had we gained
a victory we should have had news of it ere
this. Wrote to Kean to inform him that
I hand rented out his house to Dr. Jenkins at
40$ per month--No letter from any one.
The mails from the army seem to have been
suppressed. I am very unhappy about
the boys and especially Lanty. I see no
chance of his joining his company. His sit
uation at Gordonsville, where I presume he ar
rived today, must be very disagreeable, & i
fear he cannot get on to Charlottesville. Dr.
Tuttle, appointed Government agent to hunt
for Salt Petre earths, with a college ac-
quaintance of Lewis', named Strange, came
to spend the evening. About 8 oclock the
telegraph boy came with two dispatches
-one from Jno Herndon asking whether
I can rent a house for him--the other from
Jno B. Minor announcing the distressing news
of the death of little Lucy Landon at 4
this evening. It was a great shock to us.
What a blow it will be to poor Charles
to hear of the death of two children. The
dispatch says nothing had been heard
from, or of, him, since the death of Willy.
May God sanctify them[?] dispensations to
the parents and to all of us--I have not
had a line from the University since Wil-
lys death. It was only through Dr. Tuttle
I heard of the illness of the baby--I do
not know now whether Nannie may
not [?] etc We may expect a battle at
any moment--with five sons in it, can
I hope all shall escape! I feel a proud
consciousness all will do their duty gallantly
My eyes very sore- & very intolerant of gas
light--Fear I shall not soon have use of
them at night.

MSS 4763

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